the southwest 257The Eastern Kingdom of Women
Albert Herrmann in his Atlas of China, p.39, places this kingom at
the upper Mekong River. According to Chiu T’ang shu 197:5a, it was
commonly ruled by a woman and was called “Eastern” to distinguish
it from the Kingdom of Women in the west.
In 625 or early 626, envoys from the queen arrived for the first time
at the T’ang court and offered regional objects. Emperor Kao-tsu sent
them back with rich presents. Travelling through Kan-su, they were
looted by Turks and returned to the court. T’ai-tsung had meanwhile
ascended the throne on Sep.3 and had them escorted back to their
state with a letter stamped with the imperial seal (Chiu T’ang shu 197:
5b-6a; 5a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:55a).
In 630, envoys from the same queen came to the court. T’ai-tsung
presented her with a letter stamped with the imperial seal (Wen-hsien
t’ung-k’ao 339:55a).
In the 1st month (Feb./Mar.) of 633, a female envoy together with
a son of the ruler arrived at the court (T’ang hui-yao 99:9b).
In 656 or soon thereafter, another mission arrived (Wen-hsien t’ung-
k’ao 339:55a).
In 686, a high envoy from the ruler was received at the T’ang
court and supposedly requested an official title. That is possible, since
such titles carried some prestige. The Empress Wu made the ruler a
General of the Jade Bell Guards and presented silk garments made
in barbarian stile (Chiu T’ang shu 197:6a).
In 692, the ruler personally came to the court (Chiu T’ang shu 197:
6a).
In 696, the ruler sent envoys to the court (T’ang hui-yao 99:9b-
10a).
In the 12th month (Jan./Feb., 742) of the Chinese year 741, a son
of the ruler presented regional objects (Chiu T’ang shu 197:6a). In the
5th month (June/July) of 742, Emperor Hsüan-tsung ordered the
Grand Councilors and other high officials to give a banquet for the
prince. He entitled the ruler Queen Who Has Attached Herself to
Prosperity and General-in-chief of the Guards of the Golden Mace
of the Left, and presented the prince with 80 bolts of silk (Chiu T’ang
shu 197:6a;T’ang hui-yao 99:10a; Wen-hsien t’ung-k’ao 339:55a).